I'm going to have to contest this point. You most certainly do get bonuses for doing it. That's how the whole song magic evolution mechanic worked this time around, and I believe it was also a prerequisite for unlocking super moves. Sure, the game is probably easy enough that you could make it through it without using that, but it's only "optional" in the sense that you could choose to play any game without ever using your best moves. You're making it sound like it's just cosmetic, which isn't true.

Actually, you misunderstood me. What I'm talking about is the 5 or so second full screen stripping animation. As long as you don't shake your controller on a peak, your reivateyl will strip and get to the next level, but you won't have the little cutscene.Stripping (shacking the controller) on a peak or not peak doesn't change anything else.It's also useful if you just want to hurry up.

I wonder if the protagonist this time will be an idiot savant again or a doormat again?

I don't even know who is supposed to be who there. I wouldn't describe any of the AT protagonists with either of those terms...

I was referring to the male leads, Lyner and that guy from 3 as the former and Croix as the latter. Especially in regards to Cosmospheres and item creations (although Croix does get better as the game goes on, especially once he starts grasping the true depth of crazy he's working with).

I wonder if the protagonist this time will be an idiot savant again or a doormat again?

I don't even know who is supposed to be who there. I wouldn't describe any of the AT protagonists with either of those terms...

I was referring to the male leads, Lyner and that guy from 3 as the former and Croix as the latter. Especially in regards to Cosmospheres and item creations (although Croix does get better as the game goes on, especially once he starts grasping the true depth of crazy he's working with).

I loved Lyner. He is one of my favorite pretty-boy-shallow-do-gooder-main characters actually. Something about him always reminded me of early 90's Gavin Rossdale with armor and a sword... don't ask me why.

Eh, you can criticize their implementation certainly (stealth releases, lack of dual audio in Ayesha...), but Tecmo has localized everything Gust has done since acquiring them. And there is an Ar Tonelico fanbase in the west. I wouldn't be too pessimistic.

It's been a long time since I've been hyped about a game to this degree =)

That's kinda what I was getting at actuallly. Ciel seems more affiliated with the robot than the MC. SO I wonder if it'll be more canon pairings than harem.

I'm kinda psyched too.... I don't know why.

I would be willing to put money down that there will be heroine choice of some kind for the ending at this point. If the battle system had two singers like in Ar Tonelico 2, then I might be willing to believe that they were going to go for a canon pairing route, but since my understanding is that the singer is switched between the two (or three since I would also be willing to put money down that there will be a third singer.....because successor to Ar Tonelico) I feel very confident that they are going to go for the "harem" solution.

Side note have they announced the singers for the game yet? The presumed intro singer sounded similar in style and voice to the one for the Ar Tonelico games, so I assume she is the same/back (and I do not remember that singer's name immediately). I'm hoping Haruka Shimotsuki (hope I spelled that right) returns as she generally had my favorite pieces.

Also I am psyched.....but Ar Tonelico is my current favorite game, so no surprises thee.